Is this possible for budget on-board air

[miljeep]

I am looking for a cheap solution to on-board air. I know that you can buy refillable cannisters to help inflate tires, but I want to get away from paying for the refills.

I know you can buy on-board air tanks that hold 1.75 gallons, 2.5 gallons etc..

I also know that you can buy kits for the jeep, but they seem mighty expensive.

Here is the route I may go, if you have any suggestions, feel free to post them.

I bought this air compressor: campbell hausfield 2 gallon (http://www.chpower.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10051&productId=102967&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=10647)

http://www.chpower.com/chimages/ProductLarge/FP209000RB_large.jpg

The compressor hold 2 gallons and will inflate to a max of 100 psi, more than I would need for jeep tires. Because I can plug it in to recharge the air, I don't have to pay for refills like if I just bought the cannisters.

It is small, really small. It won't take up much room if I were to mount it int he back of the unlimited. This would give me 2 gallons of air if needed.

I am thinking of fabbing a bracket whcih will be bolted to the left side of the tub in the back of the seat behind the back seat. Since the gauges are easu to read, I will know what the status is of the air pressure inside before I hit the trails. If needed, I could always fill the tank back up again by finding a plug at a gas station or somewhere else.

Do you think two gallons of air is enough? It seems like it would be, because the tanks I have seen are around 2, but cost a lot more.

I am not sure if I could run any air tools off this when I have it plugged in. It says it is perfect for inflating tires, brad nailers, stapling and air brushing, but I am sure it would work with other stuff. I may not know for sure until I can visit the auto hobby shop to check using their tools.

[miljeep]

Found this on another site that was showing how to convert an old fire extinguisher into on board air.

That's all there is to it. All of the fittings and quick disconnects etc. I purchased at Home Depot between the plumbing section and the tool section. 2.5 gal isn't enough to fill one 33" tire back up after airing down but it is a big help. Having a tank allows the compressor to shut off every once in a while so that it's not running the entire time I'm trying to fill 4 tires.

So, it looks as thought this may not be a viable option and may be returned to walmart if it will not work. No need to have extra crap in my heep if it does not work.

[korisu56]

I've heard that CO2 tanks work really well for airing up. They are lightning quick and cheap to refill. I'll look it up and see if I can find more.

[miljeep]

If they are two gallons, I may as well just stick with this set up because I don;t have to worry about refills, I can just plug it in and I am good to go to refresh the air.

[korisu56]

Pretty sure you can buy a cheap bigger one though.

[korisu56]

Just looked into it for just a second. I'm gonna find where I read it and hotlink it here. I gotta go though. I spent all afternoon helping with a lift and night wheeling, so I'm gonna go. Wife hurt her back.

[treefrog]

I have a home-made CO2 set up. It's made up of a 20 lb aluminum tank I got off of e-bay for about $65.00. I paid $35.00 for a non adjustable regulator. $10.00 for a 50ft hose at home depot. I had the chuck and thread tape already. That's what, $110.00? The cost of refills very. I have paid as much as $20.00 and as little as $14.00 for a fill. The fill I am working on right now has at least 60 tires on it, everything from 31"-36" from flat to just airing up after a trail run, several shots to the motorcycle tires and only God knows how many bicycle tires for the neighborhood kids. It's still not empty. The only thing I can say bad about it is: 1. it does take up a little room where as an underhood setup would be invisible and 2. when it is below freezing, the regulator will freeze up after a minute or two. It helps to be able to keep it warm (like inside a Jeep with the heater running). I have been running this for about 4.5 years and don't see myself getting rid of it.
If you decide to go this route, make sure you get a tank that does NOT have a dip tube.

[miljeep]

Sounds promising. I saw a write up on how to convert an old fire extinguisher into on board air.

http://jeep.off-road.com/jeep/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=257805

[treefrog]

You can use one of those thin steel extinguishers for air, but not CO2. You MIGHT get two 33" tires aired up with one of those. CO2 is the way to go for volume.

[miljeep]

I think Alex (JeepinSoldier) has CO2

[korisu56]

treefrog, what would be the possibility of you being able to create a write-up on your set-up? Miljeep, sounds like another thread possibility....?

[medic76]

my dad used a old steel fire SCBA tank with a regulator and that worked realy well

[miljeep]

I would like to try to make my own. Sounds like fun. I do like the thought of buying one that I know was built right so it does not blow up in my face....but I guess that is just something that will help make sure I do it right the first time.

[korisu56]

I'm gonna research it when I get back into the area. I'd definitely like this commodity on the rig.

[treefrog]

The cheapest and easiest way to do this is to buy a non-adjustable CO2 regulator, a 50 ft hose for $10.00, then put quick disconnects on it. Get a chuck for one end, then go to your local welding supply company and get a 10 lb steel bottle of CO2. Make sure you use thread tape on everything except where the regulator screws onto the bottle. It takes a little washer there that will come with the regulator(don't lose it). You can pick those up anywhere you can get CO2, so pick up a couple of spares.
This can be done for under $100.00. I went with the 20 lb aluminum bottle for weight savings and the size.
It does have it's drawbacks (it takes up room and it does run out), but it's nice to air up all four of your tires before one of those little plug in compressors can do just one.

[korisu56]

Nice. I'm definitely gonna give this a shot.

[Bob]

Would it be a viable option to install a cheap power inverter under your hood and use the compressor in the photo? The first surge when the motor starts makes a big draw, so you would need a larger inverter.

[miljeep]

I will see how much a power inverter goes for. It would be nice to be able to use air and not have to fill up a CO2 cannister.

[Elusive]

I made my own bracket for my 2000 TJ and mounted a YORK, but I cheated and used a mill.

[miljeep]

a mill?

[Elusive]

yes, a milling machine.
the bracket itself is a copy of the Klby bracket. Brad Kilby is actually a really good guy and I wheel with him occasionally. his products are really nice, but not cheap. I took a couple hunks of angle iron and welded them together, then I milled slots in the steel so I can tension the belt. I was able to keep the A/C.... if I had to do it again, I'd just buy the kilby bracket.

[miljeep]

I bought the kilby gas tank skid. very heavy and good quality. Must have been cool to wheel with him. you got photos of his rig? That would be cool to see.

[blackjeep]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Elusive</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Brad Kilby is actually a really good guy and I wheel with him occasionally. </div></div>

That must be awesome. I bet he hits some hard stuff with his heep.

[Elusive]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: blackjeep</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Elusive</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Brad Kilby is actually a really good guy and I wheel with him occasionally. </div></div>

That must be awesome. I bet he hits some hard stuff with his heep. </div></div>

not as much anymore
you have to think about what his new jeep is for (advertising)

my junk gets hammered way harder...

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/583105/fullsize/cimg3356.jpg
http://www.bronkzilla.com/images/TruckHaven11-2007/DCIM/DrinkBrew/DSC01881.jpg

[miljeep]

Nice looking jeep. Is that a rockhard cage?

[Pacifier]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: miljeep</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nice looking jeep. Is that a rockhard cage? </div></div>

It doesn't look like a bolt on.... so I would have to say no.

[korisu56]

Nice jeep man. Where'd you get those fenders?

[Elusive]

I made the cage ( I have a bender) and I made the fenders.
thanks guys.

[TexCJ7]

you can always add to the small tank by just running a hose to the
(fire extinguisher) or whatever tanke you have and then run the hose you want to use off of that tank, you just turned your 2 gallons into 3,5,10, or what ever you want, and still you the same compressor

[korisu56]

What would I have to change if I bought a 20 gal. tank and hook it up to an air compressor? How would I hook up both the compressor and the hose?